Jun. 20, 2013

Written by

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

A Michigan man is going to prison for 20 years for scamming millions of dollars from prisoners’ families nationwide, tricking them into believing he could get convictions overturned.

John Wilson, 57, of Yale was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Detroit on Thursday after pleading guilty in December to crafting a scheme that obtained more than $2.6 million from the family members and friends of defendants incarcerated across the U.S.

Specifically, the government said, Wilson raised false hopes that he could overturn the convictions or reduce the sentences of the inmates if their friends and family members hired Wilson’s companies for help. He and his accomplice also used fake names and sometimes pretended to be lawyers themselves, when in fact they were running a scam.

“This fraud scheme preyed upon family members who were desperate to obtain help for loved ones. Not only did this scheme exploit people in need of legal services, but it also denied them access to justice,” U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said in announcing the sentence.

According to the indictment, Wilson ran his scheme through three businesses that sent direct mailings to inmates across the country, offering to conduct legal and appellate work on the inmate’s behalf.

It worked like this: When a family member or friend of the inmate called for help, they were told that payment was required for two phases: legal research and an attorney retainer. Legal research would be provided during the first phase, which was supposed to help win an appeal. In the second phase, an attorney retainer would pay for a lawyer to assist in the case.

None of it was real, the government said. The research didn’t assist any inmates, and no attorney was ever provided.

According to the indictment, Wilson and his accomplice and codefendant, Lari Zeka, used fake names when corresponding with the clients, sometimes pretending to be attorneys themselves. But neither Wilson nor Zeka are licensed to practice law, and no attorneys were ever on staff at any of their companies, the government said.

Wilson pleaded guilty to mail fraud and failing to file income tax returns.

“Today marks a victory for all who entrust their money to others within the U.S. economy, including individuals who are incarcerated,” said E.C. Woodson, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge. “The sentencing of John Henry Wilson demonstrates the Postal Inspection Service’s continuing commitment to protect all citizens of the United States.”

Added Erick Martinez, Internal Revenue Service special agent in charge: “Wilson both took advantage of his clients and failed to file his tax returns claiming his income.”

In addition to ordering the prison sentence, the court also hit Wilson with a $2-million-plus judgment for the money he obtained from his victims. In a companion civil lawsuit, the government successfully got him to forfeit a 2003 auto trailer and two vintage Jeeps restored by Wilson with proceeds from the fraud.

As part of his plea, Wilson also agreed to give up 13 firearms seized from his home.